Systems and methods for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids

Abstract

A method for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids, the method including the steps of creating a plurality of wellbores in a subterranean formation, whereby one or more of the plurality of wellbores may include a directionally drilled portion with solution disposed therein, and an electrode operatively connected with a power source. Other steps include generating an electrical field within the subterranean formation, thereby causing an electrochemical reaction to produce a gas from the solution, such that the gas mixes with hydrocarbonaceous fluids present in the formation and increases pressure within at least one of the plurality of wellbores, the subterranean formation, and combinations thereof, thereby enhancing recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous fluid.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A system for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids, the system comprising:
 a first wellbore comprising a first electrode; 
 a second wellbore comprising a second electrode, wherein the second wellbore is mechanically isolated from the first wellbore; 
 a third wellbore mechanically isolated from the first wellbore and the second wellbore, the third wellbore comprising a third electrode; 
 a solution disposed within each of the first wellbore, the second wellbore, the third wellbore, and an artificial formation formed within at least part of a producing formation, wherein the solution conducts electricity, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode at least partially contact the solution, and, wherein pressure within the first wellbore, second wellbore, the third wellbore, or combinations thereof is sufficient to disperse at least part of the solution into the producing formation from one or more openings in the first wellbore, second wellbore, the third wellbore, or combinations thereof; and 
 an alternating current power source operatively connected to the first electrode, the second electrode and the third electrode, and configured to produce an electrical field therebetween, wherein the electrical field causes an exothermic electrochemical reaction within the solution to create a gas that drives the solution into and mixes with the hydrocarbonaceous fluids present in the producing formation to increase pressure within the first wellbore, the second wellbore and the third wellbore, the producing formation, or combinations thereof, and wherein the electrical field electrochemically connects together, at least partially, the first wellbore, the second wellbore and the third wellbore, 
 wherein the first wellbore comprises a first directionally drilled portion, the second wellbore comprises a second directionally drilled portion, the third wellbore comprises a third directionally drilled portion, and wherein the first directionally drilled portion, the second directionally drilled portion and third directionally drilled portion are directionally drilled in a pattern comprising an apex region that has been calibrated to optimally pressurize the producing formation with the gas, and to optimally produce an electrical field for pressurizing and electrically stimulating the producing formation. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the direction of the third directionally drilled portion is same or different to the direction of the first directionally drilled portion for optimally directing the zone of the electrochemical reaction for stimulating the formation. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first directionally drilled portion, the second directionally drilled portion of the second wellbore, the third directionally drilled portion, and combinations thereof, is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first directionally drilled portion, the second directionally drilled portion of the second wellbore, and the third directionally drilled portion are drilled substantially parallel with each other. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least part of the first directionally drilled portion is offset from at least part of the second directionally drilled portion of the second wellbore, wherein at least part of the second directionally drilled portion is offset from at least part of the third directionally drilled portion, and wherein at least part of the third directionally drilled portion is offset from at least part of the first directionally drilled portion. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the electrical field exists within the first wellbore, the second wellbore, and the third wellbore, whereby each of the first wellbore, the second wellbore, and the third wellbore are, at least partially, connected together electrochemically. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the power source is further configured to provide alternating current to the third electrode. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first directionally drilled portion, the second directionally drilled portion of the second wellbore, and the third directionally drilled portion are configured with a central hub formed therebetween. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises a Y-shape configuration within the producing formation. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first wellbore comprises a first non-vertical portion, and wherein the second wellbore comprises a first vertical portion. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the third wellbore comprises:
 a third vertically oriented portion. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode comprises a first elongated electrical conductor extending along the first directionally drilled portion, wherein the second electrode comprises a second elongated electrical conductor extending along the second directionally drilled portion of the second wellbore, wherein a substantial portion of the first electrode and the second electrode are in contact with the solution. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the direction of the second directionally drilled portion is same or different to the direction of the first directionally drilled portion for optimally directing the zone of the electrochemical reaction for stimulating the formation. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , the system further comprising perforations in any electrodes, any wellbores, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       15. A method for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids, the method comprising:
 creating a plurality of wellbores comprising at least three wellbores that are mechanically isolated within a subterranean formation, wherein the plurality of wellbores are directionally drilled to form a pattern comprising an apex region between the plurality of wellbores, and each of the plurality of wellbores further comprises:
 a directionally drilled portion with a solution disposed therein, wherein the directionally drilled portion is in a direction to optimally direct a zone of an electrochemical reaction for stimulating the subterranean formation, wherein the solution conducts electricity, wherein pressure within any of the plurality of wellbores is sufficient to disperse at least part of the solution into the subterranean formation from one or more openings in the any of the plurality of wellbores; and 
 an electrode operatively connected with an alternating current power source; and 
 
 generating an electrical field, with an alternating current power source, within the subterranean formation, thereby causing the electrochemical reaction to produce a gas from the solution, wherein the gas drives the solution and mixes with hydrocarbonaceous fluids present in the subterranean formation to increase pressure within at least one of the plurality of wellbores, the subterranean formation, and combinations thereof, and wherein the apex region is calibrated to optimally produce an electrical field for stimulating the producing formation, and to optimally pressurize the producing formation with the gas. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of wellbores are electrochemically connected together. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the directionally drilled portion for each of at least three of the plurality of wellbores form a Y-shape configuration within a producing formation. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of measuring the enhanced recovery, and optimizing the enhanced recovery by changing at least one of a strength of the electrical field, a location of the configuration of the wellbores, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the directionally drilled portion for each of the plurality of wellbores is offset from at least one other directionally drilled portion of the plurality.